Government files papers to stop ‘protest’

Labour dispute

File photo by Bryon Johnson

The Ontario Labour Relations Board is scheduled to hear a government application this afternoon filed in an attempt to stop Ontario’s public elementary school teachers from staging a provincewide work stoppage tomorrow to protest Bill 115.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board is scheduled to hear a government application this afternoon filed in an attempt to stop Ontario’s public elementary school teachers from staging a provincewide work stoppage tomorrow.
According to Premier Dalton McGuinty’s office, the government’s application was filed and served with the labour board and teachers’ union last night. A hearing before the board, in Toronto offices, has been scheduled for 3 p.m. today (Thursday).
McGuinty’s office said the government would be asking for a quick decision so parents and students know for certain if schools will be open or closed Friday.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), announced Wednesday afternoon its members would be conducting a one-day protest Friday. They are planning to demonstrate opposition to Bill 115 by staying out of classrooms tomorrow.
Some 6,700 teachers at the Peel District School Board are expected to take part in the protest— forcing the closure of all elementary schools for the day.
Late yesterday, Ontario’s high school teachers also announced they are planning to conduct a similar day of protest next Wednesday. It is expected that would also result in the temporary closure of schools, but school board officials are still determining a course of action.
Updates on the situation will be provided on the board’s website at www.peelschools.org/aboutus/labour.
“We’re reviewing OSSTF’s announcement, and will communicate about the status of schools with students and families as soon as we have information to share,” said Carla Pereira, a spokesperson for the Peel board.
In the meantime, the Liberal government has said it would consider any work stoppage by teachers an illegal strike and is filing an application with the labour board to avert any walkout.
ETFO President Sam Hammond insisted the action being taken by teachers is not a strike, but a political protest that teachers have a right to engage in under the Constitution. Hammond added the union was prepared to argue that position.
“We will deal with what ever comes over the next two days,” he told a news conference yesterday.
If teachers stage their protest before the labour board is able to make a decision, “retroactive remedies” can be taken if the decision supports the government application, McGuinty’s office said.
Defying a board ruling could result in fines of up to $25,000 for the unions and as much as $2,000 for individual teachers under the Ontario Labour Relations Act.